SAARC Research Seminar, Research Grant and Publications
Islamic Cultural Trails: Journey through Time and Space – Minarets and Mosques, Tombs, Trade, Tradition and Technology
BACKGROUND
The Research Seminar on Islamic Cultural Trails is planned as a Regional forum of discussion for academics, researchers and policy makers to identify and develop the cultural, social, economic, religious, connections of the Region. Islam is the only living religion to spread and take root in both east and west during the pre-Colonial era. Islam disseminated from the land of its origin in the Middle East to South, Central and Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. Islam has enriched South Asia through its culture, transmitting art, architecture, technology, science through the trade routes. The ancient trade routes have long been abandoned but the legacy of those who travelled these routes can be found in the circulated knowledge, ideas, religions and the diffusion of culture. Islam is one of the shared cultural characteristics in the SAARC Region, with art and architecture portraying “unity within diversity” as seen in the evolving styles and the embracing of new characteristics through the ages. This diversity was the result of interactions that took place along the trading routes criss-crossing East and West Asia, South and Central Asia, along with the exchange of merchandise, knowledge, concepts, designs, religions, technology and other sundry of objects and ideas.
The “Cultural Trails” portray the material culture (Tangible Cultural Heritage TCH) and the Intangible Culture (ICH) of our ancestors, their beliefs and ideologies, their life and culture. The Islamic Cultural Trails (ICT) will be the third in a series of research fora aimed at strengthening cultural ties in the Region through a walk into the shared past of our ancestors, empowering us to work together as the custodians of a shared heritage for the future. This will be an opportunity for the SAARC Member States to revive a dialogue addressing the issues of conserving and preserving the Cultural Trails on one hand and how we can utilize this space to understand of our past, to enhance our present and to be economically sustainable through tourism in the future.
OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH SEMINAR
RESEARCH SEMINAR INFORMATION
Themes for the Research Seminar
The following themes have been identified for the Research Seminar. However, papers based on different themes will be accepted depending on their content and relevance to the Islamic Cultural Trails.
Dates and Venues
To be notified after confirmation from the Host Member State.
TARGET PARTICIPANTS FOR THE RESEARCH SEMINAR
The Nominees for the Research Seminar may be selected from amongst diverse disciplines among Academics and Policy Makers. Priority should be given to mid to senior level professionals involved in heritage management, policy makers and persons associated with the Heritage Sites in the Region.
Academics and Scholars should include but not limited to:
Policy Makers should include Professionals but not limited to:
DETAILS FOR PARTICIPATION AT THE RESEARCH SEMINAR
Officially Nominated Paper Presenters from the Member States
The SAARC Cultural Centre invites all Member States to send a maximum of Five Official Nominations from experts and academics of their country. The SCC hopes that at least one nominee would be from the Department of Archaeology of the Member State.
Other Paper Presenters
Category A – The SAARC Cultural Centre would also accept the participation of other Experts from the Member States (other than the Official Nominees of the respective SAARC Member States).
Category B – Paper Presenters from the Host Country (Afghanistan) where the Seminar is held can participate. (It is anticipated that Researchers, academics, etc., from the host city will present papers at the Seminar.)
Other Information
Nomination Process
The Official Nominees will be selected by each Member State comprising of leading academics, archaeologists and other experts from the Member State. Official Nominations should be submitted to the SAARC Secretariat, with the Registration Form (Annexure 2) and the Format for the Submission of Country Papers / Abstracts (Annexure 3) attached (or downloaded from the SCC website) and the details requested below.
All Other Participants (Category A) from each Member State should forward their information (including the Annexure 2 & Annexure 3) through the respective Foreign Ministries to the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu. An advance copy can be emailed to scc@saarcculture.org or dd-research@saarcculture.org.
The last date for sending the Official Nominations / Other Participants is 30th May 2019.
All Participants should include:
Format for Submission of Abstracts
The Format for the Submission Abstracts are attached as a separate document (Annexure 3).
Time Schedule for the Seminar Paper Submissions
Call for Papers 05th February 2019
Deadline for accepting Nominees & Participants 15th July 2019
Selection of Abstracts & informing participants As soon as we receive the Abstracts through the Secretariat
Submission of full papers to be published before the seminar 30th July 2019
Seminar 28th to 29th August 2019
Cultural Tour 30th August 2019